How Saturnalia helped us save $900

[JJ_Saturn]

My girlfriend and I have been using the info on this forum to help troubleshoot any problems with her '98 SL2 for some time. Recently, it's been going through a phase of needing some new parts, which is not all that surprising given the age of the car. When we took it back to a local shop after they replaced the tensioner pulley and belt a new problem arose--choking and stalling out. They wanted $1000 to fix it and said it was the fuel pump, which I was pretty sure it wasn't. That repair estimate was enough of a kick to get us back looking at this forum and resolving to do the work ourselves. I can go into the details at some other time, but the fix was a simple fuel filter replacement with an OEM part. It took a week to get, but who cares, as after spending a mere hour on my Sunday morning to replace it I had the car running tip-top again. The "check engine" light now off, and the revs back up.

I wasn't always a fan of the Saturns, but the plastic body panels were a smart idea for a climate like up here in Minnesota as they don't rust, among other things. The car keeps plugging away and runs great with keeping up on the maintenance.

I thought the long time members would like to know that a site like this is very important to the "weekend mechanic" who doesn't have a grand to drop every time something goes wrong with the car. Thanks for your help and keep up the good work.

[Charlie]

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad the site was able to be such a big help!

Charlie

[BlkDrgn28]

Thats awesome... this site has saved me $300 on fixing my AC/Cooling system. Shop wanted $328 to replace the condensor fan, found the motor at my local advanced auto for $28 and watced the Richpin video on how to replace it and 20 mins later it was replaced and tested.. no more over heating and a recharge of my AC freon and BAAM AC Again... much needed in Texas too... and currently working on replacing the headliner material as well... LOVE THE SITE!!!! Thanks to everyone who contributes keep up the good work!!!

[jeff5may32]

don't forget the junkyards here. The design did not change that much over the life cycle of these vehicles. Plus, they are mostly plastic.

[BlkDrgn28]

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of junkyards where I live.. upscale College Town and all... but I do have a couple of recommendations in the outlying towns just haven't made it over there to see what they might have in the way of S-series Saturns...

[ImplicitWeevil]

Originally Posted by JJ_Saturn

I thought the long time members would like to know that a site like this is very important to the "weekend mechanic" who doesn't have a grand to drop every time something goes wrong with the car. Thanks for your help and keep up the good work.

^All of this. ^

[john69piper]

I have a 2000 sl2 with dual ohc with 165k miles. The car has been great no costly repairs until it started burning oil, about one quart per 1k miles and gas millage down to 23 miles per gallon from 33 miles per gallon. Changed the air filter, pcv valve and spark plugs and gained 3 miles per gallon, now 26 miles per gallon. That was 3 weeks ago, waited for warmer weather and today changed spark plug wires and up stream oxygen sensor because I was getting engine check alarm and had read on this site that burning oil will contaminate the "o" sensor. Will wait and see if gas millage improves and will update ya-all. The engine has always run very good. I have the down stream "o" sensor and will replace it with next warm day.

Thanks for this site and all of you willing to share your experiences. I am new to Saturnfans.com
Mark from Ct.

[jakeblade]

Looks like the time spent on this forum is starting paying off. And such a nice stories to read as well!

[Bildo Baggins]

Best resource I have ever seen for a vehicle. I always hit this place when anything breaks or funny sounds pop up.

Thanks to all who contribute.